When teaching students expository writing, which of the following is NOT considered a critical skill?

In expository writing, the primary goal is to inform, explain, or describe a topic clearly and succinctly. Critical skills that are essential for achieving this include defining and classifying concepts, comparing and contrasting ideas, and showing reasons, causes, and effects. These skills allow students to analyze information, provide structured arguments, and create logical connections between ideas.

Defining and classifying concepts helps students clarify their subject matter, making complex topics more accessible. Comparing and contrasting enables students to highlight differences and similarities, which is vital for thorough analysis. Additionally, illustrating reasons, causes, and effects is crucial in building a logical flow in writing, as it guides readers through the reasoning behind the presented information.

In contrast, adding embellishments does not align with the core purpose of expository writing. While creative writing can benefit from decorative language and stylistic flourishes, expository writing prioritizes clarity, precision, and straightforwardness over ornamental language. Therefore, embellishing content may distract from the main ideas and dilute the effectiveness of the writing.